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Opening

What stood out to you from Sunday’s message?  

 

Summary

Read Exodus 32:1-14; 33:18-23 & 34:5-7

At first it might read like a strange and unexpected event: while Moses is up the mountain the Israelites donate their gold to craft a big calf idol to worship. We may not bow to statues but idolatry is just as tempting and pervasive for us today. The human heart is a factory of idols, constantly making God-substitutes. And the cure hasn’t changed: we expel our idolatry by beholding the glory of God’s name.  

 

Discussion Questions

  1. Why did they make a golden calf? What was so attractive about it?
  2. What is an idol? How can a good thing become idolatrous?
  3. What are the most common idols in our culture today? How do people worship them? Are any of these a temptation for you?
  4. Does Aaron repent here? Why are we so reluctant to repent? How often should Christians repent and how?
  5. In what ways can someone treasure the gifts of God instead of God himself? How can we cultivate a desperation for God himself?
  6. How do we “worship our way out of sin”?